Ducklings gorging on food?!

[Wadsworth]

Newbie duckling owner with a concern...

We got two ducklings yesterday from a local farmer. She advised us to feed starter and give free access to water. We were only able to find chick starter at the local store last night. I will order duck starter this morning. My concern is when they eat, they act as if they are starving and gorge themselves. Their little necks begin to bulge out, yet they still eat. I had to take the food away after only 4-5 minutes last night and this morning because it looks as though they may have impacted crops? I don’t know because we are new to this. They go back and forth between feed and water without a problem and don’t appear to be in distress, but they do look as though they have difficulty swallowing after their necks start to fill out. I read that they should have free access to food however I am afraid they’re going to gorge themselves to death. Pictures included. Help!!

 

[happy duck]

This is very odd. I fill like my ducklings look like that when they eat, but I never paid attention. It could be cuz there water bowl is not deep enough. They need to be able to put there head in to clean their noes and eyes. Are you giving them grit. If not it can really help with breaking down the food. If you don't know what that is: it is little rocks(you need chick size) that will break down there food.GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[Little duck farm]

My ducklings are also the same, I panicked and thought they had crop after giving them Greens then my husband googled and YouTube 2 week old ducklings and they looked the same, i took away food and water and was so scared they were going to die but then did more research and it’s normal for them to look like that so I gave back water and food and they have been fine and the neck goes up and down as they eat and drink, to me seem fine and they all are doing great.

 

[Little duck farm]

Here is a picture of one of my ducklings she is 2 weeks old

 

[iluvsedward]

As long as theyre drinking afterwards should be ok. They can be pigs at times but if they have free access all day they wont gorge as much at one time.

 

[chickens really]

Leave feed and water down 24/7. That's normal. They won't eat more than they need..

 

[Wadsworth]

Okay this is good to hear! I definitely feel like they’d feed themselves to death lol. I’ll give them free access and see if it subsides a bit. Thank you for your input!!

 

[Wadsworth]

Great! Thank you for this!

 

[chickens really]

Okay this is good to hear! I definitely feel like they’d feed themselves to death lol. I’ll give them free access and see if it subsides a bit. Thank you for your input!!

No different than puppies that get fed twice a day..If fed free choice they don't over eat..

 

[sourland]

It almost sounds as if they have been food deprived and are trying to make up for lost time. I agree with @chickens really - provide feed and water 24/7 and their eating habits will even out.